DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The decision by a number of prominent Republicans to skip a major statewide tea party convention has provoked frustration among its organizers and raised questions about the controversial positions advanced by some of the event's participants.

Tea party allies Gov. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), Attorney General Pam Bondi (R-Fla.) and the leading Republican candidates for president have all declined invitations to the 2011 Florida Tea Party Convention. Senate candidates Adam Hasner and George LeMieux and Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) are not attending either.

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